“The Ego Diaries” is a collection of reaction drawings on art magazine covers. Originally, these sketches were never intended to be a series to be shared and exhibited. They were simply cheeky acts of mischief contrived to answer the age old question, “How do you get on the front cover?” It all started in the 1980’s in New York, when as a young ambitious East Village artist I was confronted with the “Artworld”, who guarded its secrets of success like an impermeable fortress.
For decades, I’ve subscribed to art magazines and unblinkingly stared at the full page color ads before pouring over the articles, all the while staying current with the art trends, art theories, art speak, and the artwork that would become influential. This education was invaluable, and still to this day, I await unjaded for the next issue to arrive at my front door.
However over time, perhaps a bit of jadedness did sneak in. As I read the wordy articles, my mind would wander and I would get an idea for a sculpture. Instead of reaching for my sketchbook I would scribble out the idea on any clear place in the magazine I was reading. Over time, with tongue in cheek, I would draw my ideas over the front covers, intentionally cancelling out the photo image and by doing so, humorously thumbing my nose at Artworld politics and, as a result, eliminating the middle-man. I instantly had the ability to finally be on the front cover of Artforum or Art in America, not once but over thirty times!!

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